Women Castrate Heraldic Lion

This week, a battle in the gender war was won by the women. The heraldic lion on the coat of arms of the Nordic Battlegroup has been castrated.

Ouch!

Displayed is the before picture.

The armed forces agreed to emasculate the lion after a group of women from the rapid reaction force lodged a complaint to the European Court of Justice, Goteborgs-Posten reports.

But although the army was eventually happy to make the changes in the interests of gender equality, the artist who designed the insignia was less than pleased.

"A heraldic lion is a powerful and stately figure with its genitalia intact and I cannot approve an edited image," Vladimir A Sagerlund from the National Archives told Goteborgs-Posten.

Sagerlund blasted the army for making changes to the coat of arms without his permission.

"The army lacks knowledge about heraldry. Once upon a time coats of arms containing lions without genitalia were given to those who betrayed the Crown," said Sagerlund.

But the castrated lion has already won the day and is now worn on the arms of all soldiers in the battle group's Swedish battalions.

"We were given the task of making sure the willy disappeared," Christian Braunstein from the army's 'tradition commission' told Goteborgs-Posten.

"We were forced to cut the lion's willy off with the aid of a computer," he added.

The Nordic Battlegroup is comprised of soldiers from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Ireland and Estonia, who are all very careful when spelling the word "Nordic."

Curiously, now that the lion is a lioness, shouldn't the mane also be removed? Of course, no one would ever question the manliness of European military forces. Right?

Tip: Travis Evans

Saudi Jihad Rehab Program

(Saudi Arabia) Terrorists who have been captured and imprisoned in Saudi Arabia can now enter the new jihadist rehabilitation program to rid themselves of their extremist thoughts.

From ITN:

Prisoners who are soon to be released are encouraged to swap their weapons for crayons and express themselves through art.


Class leader Dr Awad Alyami says the centre provides a crucial link between prison and the community for the ex-Jihads.

He said: "They came from a dark side. They got into a lot of problems and they got into trouble for it. They went into jail for a period of time and now they are in a rehabilitation centre where we are offering them help to adjust to society."

Golly gee whiz! It sounds so wonderful. I'm feeling a little mushy, a bit wispy and oh so moist. I'm fully deluded. Just think -- the terrorists will trade their explosives and automatic weapons for crayons. What a fantastic idea!

Who would have thought that crayons would win out against martyrdom and 72 virgins?

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

NASA: Signs of Microbial Life on Mars

According to this report, the Mars rover Spirit has discovered evidence of a past habitable environment on the planet.

Spirit has been exploring a plateau called Home Plate, where it discovered silica-rich soil in May.

Researchers are now trying to determine what produced the patch of nearly pure silica - the main ingredient of window glass.

They believe the deposits came from an ancient hot-spring environment or an environment called a fumarole, in which acidic steam rises through cracks.

On Earth, both of these types of settings teem with microbial life, said rover chief scientist Steve Squyres.

"Whichever of those conditions produced it, this concentration of silica is probably the most significant discovery by Spirit for revealing a habitable niche that existed on Mars in the past," he said.

More study is needed. Nonetheless, it's an interesting find.

Report: More Dropouts Mean More Thugs

(Alameda County, CA) From a report by a coalition of law enforcement leaders and violence survivors based upon a study by Enrico Moretti of UC Berkeley.

Increasing the graduation rate by 10 percentage points statewide would lower the homicide tally by an estimated 500 a year and prevent more than 20,000 aggravated assaults, according to a report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California, a coalition of law enforcement leaders and violence survivors.

"The main point is that California's dropout crisis is a public safety issue," said Brian Lee, author of the report and deputy director of the group. "We're paying for it in terms of violent crime."

About a third of students in California do not earn a high school diploma.

I think that the assertion is oversimplifying a more complicated problem. If thugs are taken off the street and put in school, it doesn't necessarily follow that they are no longer thugs.

Pinak - Miracle Snake Bite Medicine

(Pune, India) From the subcontinent it's reported that there is a new herbal wonder drug for venomous snake bites called Pinak and stories regarding the drug's use are phenomenal.

One of the major problems in treating snakebite victims is the costly ASV vaccine that -- at a cost of 400 Indian Rupees -- is beyond the reach of most poor patients. Pharmaceutical anti-venoms are expensive to produce, a process that includes harvesting venom from snakes.

A remedy to tackle this problem came in the form of herbal drug Pinak, manufactured by a Satara based pharmaceutical company following research and successful trials by Dr. Gita Pawar. Patients treated with Pinak not only survived but also fully recovered.

Pinak has yet to be approved by the Indian government. Pinak was not only cheap compared to the costly ASV, but the drug, which doctors have nicknamed the "miracle drug," was recorded to be so effective that a single dose of the drug, the world's only oral sublingual tablet, could cure or prevent deaths instantly as compared to ASV, which takes longer to act against snake venom.

Wow! A single dose prevents death. Wow! And, according to the reports, bites from all the various types of venomous snakes can be treated with equal effectiveness by Pinak. Wow!

Of course, I must ask why there hasn't been more publicity regarding this medical breakthrough? We're talking Nobel Prize worthiness here. Rattlesnake bite? Here, take this pill. Black mamba? Just put it under your tongue. Cobra? No problem, here's some Pinak.

Obviously, I'm harboring skepticism with hope.

Iran Bans Boots, Hats on Women

(Tehran, Iran) The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Ministry of Culture and Islamic Orientation, along with the police, judiciary and Revolutionary Guard, have ordered a ban on women wearing boots and hats. Interestingly, there seems to have been unanimous agreement for the ban -- maybe because women were not given an opportunity to object.

Tehran Police Chief General Ahmad Radan announced the prohibition yesterday.

"If boots are not covered by pants that fall to the ankles, they show the female shape and that is therefore in contradiction with Islamic dress code," said Radan.

Iranian women can no longer leave home with their pants pushed inside their boots and they can no longer wear hats without a veil.

"A hat is not an adequate substitute for a veil or a hijab," he said. "If someone really wants to wear a hat, they can put it on the veil."

Feminist Rezvan Moghdaddam told Adnkronos International (AKI) that police should be concerned about drug traffickers than street fashion.

"Instead of being busy with women's hats and boots, the police would be better catching the merchants of death that kill our young people with drugs," she said from Tehran.

"Our cities are infested by delinquents and security forces are only worried about how women dress, all this is really ridiculous."

Therefore, as long as women are seen as shapeless and unremarkable, they will be allowed to walk the streets of Tehran. Meanwhile, law enforcers in Tehran have been turned into the official Boot and Hats Police, something akin to glorified hall monitors.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

The [bleep] Toilet

(Scranton, Pennsylvania) A local woman, Dawn Herb, was in court Monday after being accused of cussing in her home when her toilet backed up. Herb faces one count of disorderly conduct.

She was cited by an off-duty officer who heard Herb let out a string of four-letter words after her toilet backed up in October. She doesn't deny using the obscenities.

But her lawyer says Herb has a constitutional right to curse like a sailor in her own home. The judge says he'll make a decision in a few days on whether the mother of four is guilty of a cussing crime.

If convicted, Herb faces up to 90 days in jail.

Well, I'll be [bleep]. What a bunch of [bleep]. This [bleep] police officer is [bleep]. He can [bleep] my [bleep].

And the horse you rode in on!

Pope Bashes Environmentalists on Climate Alarms

Pope Benedict XVI voices caution regarding global warming dogma.

Pope Benedict XVI has launched a surprise attack on climate change prophets of doom, warning them that any solutions to global warming must be based on firm evidence and not on dubious ideology.

The leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics suggested that fears over man-made emissions melting the ice caps and causing a wave of unprecedented disasters were nothing more than scare-mongering.

The German-born Pontiff said that while some concerns may be valid it was vital that the international community based its policies on science rather than the dogma of the environmentalist movement.

So, I guess the Pope has joined the ranks of global warming deniers. Welcome aboard, your Holiness.

Tip: Right Bias

Man Charged with Reckless Driving of Horse

(Telemark County, Norway) Apparently, there is no specifically-defined traffic offense for reckless giddy-upping.

An 85-year-old man from Telemark County in southern Norway refused to accept a reckless driving fine for damages he caused - with his horse.

"She didn't turn far enough out," the elderly man said about the woman driver whose car was damaged, newspaper Varden reports.

The court ruled the 85-year-old would have to pay a NOK 7,000 (USD 1,287) fine, NOK 10,141 for damages to the car he hit, and NOK 3,000 in court costs. The case went to trial after the man refused to accept the NOK 3,000 fine handed out by police.

The unusual accident took place on a narrow road in Telemark in June. The 85-year-old was out with a trotter and sulky, and hit a Ford Escort driven by a 40-year-old woman.

The woman drove off to the side and stopped when she saw the horse and carriage coming, but it didn't help as her care received damage to a rear door and a rear mudguard.

The Amish in the U.S. may have occasionally encountered a similar circumstance.

w00t - Word of the Year

(Springfield, Massachusetts) The publishers of Merriam-Webster's Dictionary have selected "w00t" as the word of the year for 2007. The combination of letters and numbers are an exclamation of happiness.

It was chosen because it blends whimsy and technology says M-W's prez, John Morse.

There's no word yet about whether we'll see a happiness business endeavor called "w00ters!"

Teacher Crystal Wells Unlawful Sex Case

Sentenced to prison. See update here.

Homeless Helper Beaten By Homeless Man

(Cave Junction, Oregon) A homeless man, Timothy Michael Waddell, was arrested for the alleged fatal beating 70-year-old Tom Green, the former mayor of Cave Junction who sheltered homeless teens. Waddell has been charged with murder.

Witnesses told police that Timothy Michael Waddell, 19, repeatedly bashed Tom Green's head into the asphalt in what was believed to be an unprovoked attack near Green's home on the 100 block of South Sawyer Avenue, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies said Waddell once lived in Green's home several years ago and was part of a group of teens visiting Green's home Thursday when Waddell suddenly attacked Green. Green suffered two black eyes and Waddell fled that encounter, deputies said.

Shortly after noon Monday, Green stepped out of his house and was confronted by Waddell, who threw Green to the ground and straddled him while he repeated slammed Green's head into the roadway, police said.

Green died from his injuries.

Waddell was booked into custody at the Josephine County Jail without bail. Notably, Waddell is a drug user, fancying methamphetamine, who claims to hear voices.

"No good deed goes unpunished."

Mom Gets Prison for Sex with Foster Son

(Genesee County, New York) A 44-year-old nurse and former Sunday school teacher, Deborah Knauber, has been sentenced by Genesee County Judge Robert C. Noonan to one to three years in state prison for raping her 13-year-old foster son.

In August, a jury found Knauber guilty of second degree rape, criminal sexual conduct in the second degree, and sexual abuse for molesting the boy on three separate occasions in 2006.

Knauber maintains that she is innocent and plans to appeal. She will be required to register as a sex offender.

Swedish Woman, 29, Has Baby With Boy, 14

(Svea, Sweden) Wow! The Swedes are quite progressive.

A Swedish woman who bore the child of a 14-year-old Uruguayan boy has been sentenced by Svea Court of Appeal to six months in jail for sexually exploiting a minor. The boy was twelve years old when their sexual relationship began.

The boy was 12 years old when she started sleeping with him. Twelve!

The woman, 32, said to be a high-profile company director, was 29 years old when she gave birth to the boy's daughter, her third child in all.

But the baby was conceived in Sweden rather then Uruguay. Once she had returned to her homeland, the businesswoman managed to convince the father of her two oldest children that the boy should live with them.

And for all the deception and the long-term sexual relationship with a child, she gets six months in jail. The court said since the boy had given his consent, her crimes didn't warrant a longer sentence.

Boy, Sweden must be a haven for pedophiles.

Tip: sugiero

Honor Killings in Kurdistan

Reported in Alarabiya.net, the number of honor killings among Kurds in Iraq is nominally one every day.

United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) highlighted the problem of honor killings as one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the country.

According to its 2007 report, violence against Kurdish women rose 18 percent between March and May 2006. Statistics showed that in the first quarter of 2007, 15 women were killed with blunt tools, 87 by fire, and 16 from gunshot wounds. In the second quarter, the figures were eight, 108, and 21, respectively.

A report by Kurdistan's Human Rights Ministry said the number of women who committed suicide by self-immolation (setting themselves on fire) was 36 in 2005 and rose to 133 in 2006.

The extent of the problem is astonishing and, unfortunately, not well known. International pressure needs to be directed toward the practice. Prominent Arab, Asian and Western women should be outraged and shouting their condemnation.

It's important to note that part of the problem is Kurdish law. The current punishment for all homicides is a life sentence or execution. That is except for honor killings which have a maximum penalty of three years in prison.

For starters, the Kurds need to change the law.

Teacher Sharon Rutherford Gets Prison in Sex Case

(Grove Hill, Alabama) In April 2006, a 30-year-old mother of two and English teacher at Coffeeville High School, Sharon Linton Rutherford, was arrested and charged with sex crimes against students and plotting to murder her husband.

Rutherford specifically faced counts of solicitation of murder, rape, sexual abuse and enticing a child for immoral purposes. In May 2006, Circuit Court Judge Bill Kimbrough dropped the first-degree rape charge. Also in May, James Rutherford filed for divorce.

A student told Coffeeville High School Principal Janice Richardson that he had sex with Rutherford and investigation exposed the alleged murder plot. According to the Clarke County Sheriff's office, two enticement victims were under 16 years of age and the investigation sought to determine if there were other victims.

In August 2006, Rutherford was indicted by a Clarke County grand jury on two counts of enticement of a child for immoral purposes and murder-for-hire.

In October 2007, Sharon L. Rutherford, now 32, was tried and convicted by a jury on two counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes, Class C felonies punishable by a sentence of up to 10 years on each count.

Yesterday, Sharon Rutherford was sentenced to three years in prison and five years probation. Since her conviction is being appealed, she is free on bail.

Rutherford's murder-for-hire trial is scheduled for March 2008.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Alex Trebek Has Heart Attack

(Los Angeles, CA) Jeopardy host Alex Trebek has suffered a heart attack and is hospitalized at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. Called a minor attack, he is reportedly doing well and should be able to resume hosting duties in January.

Underwear In The Garden

(Osaka, Japan) Frequently, truth seems much stranger than fiction because one simply can't imagine that a person is even capable of making up some things that happen in real life.

Here's an example of really bizarre behavior from the tabloid Yukan Fuji.

A man arrested for hurling into neighbors' gardens the little girls' knickers that he used to wear around has been described by those who knew him as "friendly and a stickler for cleanliness," according to Yukan Fuji (12/5).

Kazuo Oshitani, a 48-year-old company employee from the Osaka suburb of Ibaraki, was arrested for breaking the Waste Disposal Law.

Police say Oshitani bought hundreds of pairs of women's and little girls' underpants, wore them one at a time and then scattered them around neighbors' gardens when he removed them on his way home.

Apparently, he targeted the gardens of young families with housewives in their 20s and 30s. Oshitani told police that it aroused him to think of people finding his panties.

According to a scientific sample study, panty fetishism is known to occur worldwide and it's exhibited in about 12 percent of all people possessing fetishes.

Interestingly, the Japanese have turned the proclivity into an institution. Schoolgirls are known to sell their soiled underwear at specialized shops or through mobile phones, selling directly to clients. Also, the fetish is generally common among lesbians.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Algeria: Terrorists Bomb School Bus, Supreme Court

(Algiers) For two deadly bombings today, there have been no claims of responsibility yet but it is logical to assume that al-Qaeda is the perpetrator.

The North African contingent, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, has been quite active in bombing people throughout Algeria this year.

At least 45 people are reported to have died and another 40 wounded in two explosions in the Algerian capital, Algiers.

Officials said the first explosion occurred on Tuesday in the heart of the city, near the country's Supreme Court, while a second bomb exploded at the United Nations office in the area of Hydra.

The minister for internal affairs, Yazid Zerhouni said at least one of the blasts was believed to be a suicide bomb attack caused by a small truck bomb. The minister was speaking to US network, 'al-Hurra', which broadcasts in Arabic.

The greatest number of victims are believed to have been students who were travelling on a school bus that was struck by the bomb that exploded in front of the court building in the Ben Aknoun.

It's reported that 30 of the dead were on the school bus adjacent to the Supreme Court building.

Yazid Zerhouni, the Algerian Interior Minister, said that the blasts were just minutes apart.

"The death toll is very high," he said. So far, medical crews said that scores have been injured in today's blasts, and put the death toll for both bombs at 45.

People were seen running through the streets in panic near the Supreme Court, and the wail of police sirens filled the air. Much of the city's central zone, containing its business and diplomatic offices, was cordoned off after the bombs.

The al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb group was formerly called the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Drunk Mom Killed Her Baby

(St. Charles County, Missouri) In September 2006, 33-year-old Sherri Lohnstein gave birth to a baby girl, Zreanna, who didn't live for a day.

According to the St. Charles prosecutor, Zreanna died from asphyxiation due to acute intoxication (0.17 percent blood alcohol level), secondary to the mother's intoxication.

In December 2006, Lohnstein was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Court documents say Lohnstein had a blood alcohol of .18 when she gave birth, and "consumed alcohol after delivery while recovering in the hospital."

Investigators say she told police "I was drinking and she died. I don't know why but I should not have drank."

Her neighbors had hoped for a happier ending to what has always seemed to have been a very sad story.

Lohnstein's doctor apparently told her about the dangers her baby faced if she drank while pregnant.

She was arrested Wednesday night in Joliet, IL on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, but she was taken to the hospital because police say she was intoxicated.

Neighbors say she had at least one other child.

Today, Lohnstein, now 34, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider followed the terms of a plea agreement in sentencing Lohnstein to complete a state substance abuse treatment program by the end of 120 days beginning in February.

If Lohnstein completes that treatment, Schneider then could put her on probation and require her to complete a local drug court program. If not, Schneider could sentence her to seven years in prison.

Your guess is as good as mine with regard to whether Lohnstein gets jail or not. However, there should be no dispute regarding the extent of her problems with alcohol.

Notably, the Lohnstein case came elbow-close to being in conflict with an existing Missouri Appeals Court ruling that imposed a prohibition on prosecuting mothers for conduct which indirectly harms the fetus. As part of Lohnstein's plea agreement, she waived her right to appeal.

Tip: greggmkay

Newspaper For Rhode Island Homeless

(Providence, Rhode Island) Apparently the homeless population of Providence has grown to be a significant enough demographic that the need for a homeless newspaper has arisen. Called Street Sights, the eight-page newspaper is a free monthly publication for and about the homeless.

Elizabeth Ochs, a 23-year-old Brown University student, is the coordinating editor.

"It's sort of a platform for communication and self-expression," she said, and a glance through the paper confirms that.

A report of a recent rally for the homeless and another report of an advocacy meeting are on the front page.

Columnist Joseph Perry shares his thoughts on page 3.

Eight poems, each with a headshot of the writer, fill pages 4 and 5, the broadsheet's center.

Three cartoons are published.

The back page, called End Notes, lists coming events and phone numbers for more than 30 programs serving the homeless.

Sponsors pick up the costs of printing. Everything else is covered by volunteer workers. The staff of eight works out of a tiny, single-room office in the basement of a building on Chestnut Street. It's unclear who pays for heat, lights and rent.

Kudos to Ochs on the launch of the homeless broadsheet. Best wishes for success.

However, as a final comment, I was unaware that the homeless were such great fans of poetry. In all candor, I'm having great difficulty even imagining vagrants in their hovels reading and discussing poetry. Apparently, I need to get out more.

World Record For Being Thrown By Car

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's ludicrous to keep statistics on the distance people are thrown after being hit by a moving car. Even so, that is exactly what the Guinness World Records book displays under the category "Greatest Distance Thrown in a Car Accident."

The record holder is Matthew McKnight, a Pittsburgh paramedic, who in 2001 was hit by a car traveling at 70 MPH and thrown 118 feet.

He suffered two dislocated shoulders plus a broken shoulder, pelvis, leg and tailbone. His injuries put him in the hospital for two weeks, followed by 80 days in rehab, before returning to work in April 2002.

It's not known if the person thrown has to live afterward and, if so, for how long. It's also not known how many jello-brained morons are making plans to challenge McKnight's record.

Just wondering, if a bunch of youths try the stunt and someone dies, will there be a cause of action for a lawsuit against Guinness World Records? After all, if there were no record to surmount, they wouldn't have tried and nobody would have died.

Tip: slwlion

Colorado Church Shootings 12-09-07

A mere 13 hours after the shooting of missionary trainees at the Faith Bible Chapel Campus in Arvada, another shooting incident occurred in Colorado Springs' 10,000-member evangelical New Life Church. One parishioner was fatally shot and six people were wounded before the gunman was killed by a New Life security guard.

In Arvada, Tiffany Johnson, 25, and Philip Crouse, 24, died from their gunshot wounds. Two other shooting victims, Dan Griebenow, 24, and Charlie Branch, 22, are hospitalized, one in critical condition.

In Colorado Springs at the evangelical New Life Church, a heavily-armed man similar in description to the Arvada gunman (white male, 20-ish) entered the vestibule and began firing with a high-powered rifle shortly after shooting at a van in the parking lot. One church member was killed before a female security guard fatally shot the gunman.

Arvada Police Chief Don Wick said there is reason to believe that the two incidents may be related. Colorado Springs Police Chief Richard Myers cautiously said no links between the two episodes have been identified.

Investigators, reportedly numbering 25, are now directing efforts to a home in unincorporated Arapahoe County. Arvada Police entered the home with a search warrant.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is assisting. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the FBI are on the scene. The Arapahoe County Bomb Squad arrived shortly before 10 p.m. As of 10 p.m. Sunday, investigators were taking boxes out of the house.

The Colorado Springs Police Department is taking over the investigation. 

Two people who are believed to be the homeowners left with sheriff's deputies around 9 p.m.

No names nor findings have been reported as yet.

Interestingly, according to a comment thread on the DenverPost.com, the extreme leftists are already blaming the shootings on the Bush administration, the Republicans and God's wrath for homophobia.

Also interesting is the comment thread at DailyKos. Readers there take the opportunity to disparage Fox News while blaming the Colorado shootings on the lack of gun control, the lack of services for the homeless and Christianity.

Personally, I believe everyone should hold off on finger-pointing until more information emerges.


[Update 12/10/07, 0615 EST]

Another victim has died. According to Amy Sufak, spokeswoman at Penrose Community Hospital in Colorado Springs, the hospitalized victim from the New Life Church died last night. The total shooting deaths thus far is five, including a gunman.


[Update 12/10/07, 1445 EST]

Dead gunman has been identified as Matthew Murray, 24.

Murray was home schooled and his last known address was at his parents' home in unincorporated Arapahoe County -- the same home investigators searched Sunday night.

It is still unknown whether the two shooting incidents are related. (Tip: allahakchew)


[Update 12/11/07]

From the Rocky Mountain News:

Matthew Murray, who turned 24 five days before he unleashed terror on religious centers in Arvada and Colorado Springs, spent three to five hours a day on his home computer, taking classes and, in recent weeks, sending hate mail to the missionary training center where the shootings began.

Murray - who was positively linked to both shootings through ballistics - died after a shootout with a security guard at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. That deadly confrontation came after attacks on the Youth With A Mission center in Arvada early Sunday morning and on New Life Church a little more than 12 hours later.

Investigators on Monday weren't sure whether the security guard, Jeanne Assam, killed Murray or he took his own life.

Pastor Phil Abeyta, the uncle of Matthew Murray, issued a statement asking for forgiveness for the Murray family.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

East Carolina University Fans Support the Troops

(Honolulu, Hawaii) Some football fans are showing their gratitude to the U.S. military by giving up their tickets to the Aloha Bowl where East Carolina University plays Boise State on December 23rd. Makes me proud.

East Carolina University football fans are buying tickets to their team's bowl game in Hawaii, but they are donating them to military personnel who expect to spend time there during the Christmas holiday.

Assistant athletic director for ticketing and marketing Scott Wetherbee said ECU wants to be sure someone will sit in its seats for the Sheraton Aloha Bowl on Dec. 23 in Honolulu by buying tickets and donating them to active members of the service.

Some individual fans are even buying blocks of tickets to donate. Woo-hoo! And Merry Christmas to all!

Skin Whitening in the Philippines

From a cultural standpoint, I think the following report is interesting.

From Manila Bulletin Online:

Derm Pharma, Inc. president Dr. Vinson Pineda says skin whitening has become a staple in the country's so-called vanity industry because of the intrinsic appeal of whiter complexion. Such a complexion is viewed as a symbol of femininity. It also gives an impression of youthfulness and attractiveness to the opposite sex.

"In the Philippines, skin whitening is a very popular practice in the field of cosmetic dermatology. It has already spread from Asia to South America. It is because women want to attain the certain appeal of looking radiant. In the Philippines, fair complexion has become the benchmark of beauty," Dr. Pineda says.

"The obsession for having a lighter skin has more to do with social class differences," Dr. Pineda says. "It is believed that a lighter skin tone is linked with wealth and higher education levels, whereas darker skin comprises a life of outdoor labor, toiling in the sun."

So, Asians desire white skin. Imagine that.

Gunman at Christian Missionary School, 4 Wounded

(Arvada, Colorado) Breaking news!

A lone gunman opened fire on a missionary training campus in Arvada early Sunday morning, shooting four people before fleeing.

Arvada Police investigators say the gunman walked into a dorm-like residence hall on the Faith Bible Chapel Campus at the Youth with a Mission facility near 64th & Ward Road just after midnight and began shooting. [ ... ]

The suspect, who is still on the loose, is described as a white male, about 20 years old, who was wearing a dark coat. He may have been wearing a dark beanie, may have had a beard, and may have been wearing glasses.

The four wounded victims were rushed to Denver-area hospitals. Their conditions are unknown.


[Update 12/10/07]

Two people have died from their wounds in the Arvada shootings, Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 24. Meanwhile, there was another shooting only hours later in Colorado Springs at the New Life Church. One parishoner and the gunman were killed.

Possible links between the shootings are being investigated.

Botched Bank Robbery

(Hardeeville, South Carolina) Here's the presumed transcript of the South Carolina Bank & Trust drive-thru intercom.

TELLER: [crackle-hiss] "Good morning! Welcome to the Bank & Trust. How may I help you?

BARBARA JOYNER: [crackle-hiss] "Uh -- This is a stickup. Give me all your money!"

TELLER: [crackle-hiss] "Ma'am, you do realize that you are outside the bank?"

JOYNER: [crackle-hiss] "This is a robbery, dammit!"

TELLER: [crackle-hiss] "And you have no weapon and you're being caught on camera? Are you sure you want to do this?"

JOYNER: [crackle-hiss] "Quit stalling. Give me all your money."

TELLER: [crackle-hiss] "One moment, please."

Police arrived and Barbara Joyner, 59, was arrested. She faces charges of attempted bank robbery. For the sake of full disclosure, Joyner reportedly used a note.

Drive-through bank robberies are rare. Only 78 of 7,272 bank robberies (1.07 %) in 2006 occurred from the drive-through or walk-through.

Tip: Suidae Empathy

Hoosier Mom Gets 10 Years for Sex with Boy

(Gary, Indiana) In December 2006, a 31-year-old Gary woman, Johana Marie Kalinowicz, was charged with sexual misconduct for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old boy. The sex allegedly occurred between December 2005 and September 2006.

In November 2007, Kalinowicz, now 32, pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a minor and Lake Superior Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak Jr. sentenced her to 10 years in prison.

Kalinowicz, of the 5900 block of West 36th Avenue, had sex with the boy, a former neighbor, several times between Dec. 2, 2005, and Sept. 2, 2006.

While Kalinowicz was free on bond, she twice violated Stefaniak's order to avoid contact with the teen, deputy prosecutor Nicholas Barnes said, adding the second time Kalinowicz was found naked in bed with the victim and was sent back to the Lake County Jail until her sentencing hearing.

Reportedly, Kalinowicz's victim turned incorrigible after the sex and ran away from home. He now is a ward of the state. In a related action, the crime and legal proceedings forced Kalinowicz to give up custody of her 10-year-old son.

After completion of her 10-year sentence, Kalinowicz will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years.

2007 Person of the Year Nominee

I'm guessing that few of my readers know who made the following nomination, even though it is somewhat predictable.

My nominee for 2007 Person of the Year is a woman -- a woman with a history of abuse, a woman who has never run for elective office, someone we all know, someone who makes her presence known on a daily basis in all our lives and, for my money, is better than any male alternative. That woman is Mother Earth.

Answer

Elton John In Feathers

(Wellington, New Zealand) Elton John has been made an honorary member of a Maori tribe and given a bird-feather cloak to indicate high rank.

"It's the Maori equivalent to an Academy Award and (also means) the inclusion of Sir Elton John as an honored member of Ngati Te Whiti" sub-tribe, said its chairman, Peter Love.

The cloak, known by Maori as a korowai, was "gifted as recognition of the enjoyment Sir Elton John's music has given to Maori over the years and his loyal continuance to return to Aotearoa to entertain," he said in a statement.

I'm guessing that this isn't the first feathered robe owned by Elton John.

Music Teacher Guilty of Sex with Student

(La Mesa, California) In October 2007, a 22-year-old music teacher and band director at Helix High School, Jessica Ashley Kahal, was arrested on suspicion of having sex with a 17-year-old male student.

Douglas D. Smith, Helix High School principal, became aware of the sexual relationship and alerted authorities.

Subsequently, the alleged victim, a senior at the school, said that he had consensual sex with Kahal about five times in various areas of the county since August.

Yesterday, Kahal pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor at least three years younger. El Cajon Superior Court Judge Patricia K. Cookson scheduled sentencing for February 13th. Since Kahal has no prior criminal record, the judge said she wouldn't do jail time.

Kahal resigned her position with the school in October.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 02/14/08]

Kahal sentenced to probation.

Sean Penn Endorses Kucinich

(San Francisco, California) Actor Sean Penn gave a speech while endorsing Dennis Kucinich for President 2008. Penn criticized Hillary Clinton and the Bush administration, providing this nugget.

"While I'm not a proponent of the Death Penalty, existing law provides that the likes of Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld and Rice, if found guilty, could have hoods thrown over their heads, their hands bound, facing a 12-man rifle corps executing death by firing squad," Penn said.

Interestingly and contrary to his core beliefs, Penn ponders killing the leadership of the United States government. All the while, he likely thinks his ideas are not extremist.

Tip: Jawa Report

New Hampshire Homeless Fair

(Nashua, New Hampshire) Woo-hoo! It's an exposition for homeless people. Sponsored by the Greater Nashua Continuum of Care, the 3rd annual Homeless Fair yesterday was attended by about 100 people.

The advantage of having a fair is that it offered a variety of services and materials under one roof, a sort of "one-stop shopping" expo for people struggling just to get by, organizers said.

At the fair, a mix of nonprofit groups and local businesses provided such services as health screening and eye exams.

Men and women could get winter coats, hats and scarves, other clothing and information about services available to homeless and people described as being "at the edge of homelessness."

Additionally, haircuts were provided free of charge.

The homeless fair last year drew more people, said Lori Wilshire, chairwoman of the Continuum of Care.

While some might suggest that means there are fewer homeless people to serve here, Wilshire cited another factor that may have contributed to a lighter turnout: Great American Downtown denied her group's request to put a banner over Main Street promoting the fair.

My suggestion would be to advertise on television and radio. Homeless people would likely come from surrounding towns, maybe the whole state.

Bedside Manners for Muslims

(UK) While still considering the "women doctors only" proposition for female Muslim patients, the British National Health Service (NHS) has ordered bed-repositioning during Muslim prayer times.

OVERWORKED nurses have been ordered to stop all medical work five times every day to move Muslim patients' beds so they face towards Mecca.

The lengthy procedure, which also includes providing fresh bathing water, is creating turmoil among overstretched staff on bustling NHS wards.

I'm wondering if the bed shifting and fresh bathing water, presumably for the feet, are provided in hospitals in Muslim nations.

Tip: Right Bias

Homeless Action Report

(Baltimore, Maryland) Mayor Sheila Dixon has vowed to end homelessness but it's not clear exactly how she plans to do it. Nonetheless, homelessness has been identified as a housing problem, a good start.

A census earlier this year indicated that about 3,000 homeless need shelter while only about 2,000 beds are available in emergency and transitional housing.

As part of the solution, the Housing Department committed to provide 88 apartments over five years starting last January. That equals 17.6 apartments per year, not a large amount. Sadly, the goal may not be achievable since no apartments have been provided for this year.

Additionally, Baltimore has snagged federal funds for 50 to 150 residential units over five years with future plans for 500 in a decade.

This all sounds good but, frankly, the numbers don't seem to add up. With 3,000 homeless and a plan to add 238 permanent housing units within five years, ending homelessness would require each unit to have about 13 residents. I can't imagine that the city of Baltimore is building houses with 13 bedrooms.

As far as Mayor Dixon making the end of homelessness her signature issue, I'd suggest that she might want to reconsider.

New Jersey Teacher Drunk in Class

(Manalapan, New Jersey) A 54-year-old 4th-grade teacher at Pine Brook School, Mary J. Kaminski, was arrested on Wednesday for drinking and being intoxicated while teaching. Apparently, Kaminski was so drunk that she fell in the classroom and had to be hospitalized.

Kaminski was charged with having "in her possession and under her control an alcoholic beverage while on school property," and "becoming highly intoxicated while performing the duties of a substitute teacher of a fourth grade classe in the Pine Brook School."

She also faces criminal charges of endangering the welfare of a child.

Kaminski was booked into custody at the Monmouth County Jail with bail set at $50,000.

High Taxes Repel Talented Danes

(Copenhagen, Denmark) One reality that nanny-state leftists fail to grasp is that confiscatory tax policies have far-reaching consequences. In the case of Denmark where the marginal income tax for top-earners is a reported 63 percent, talented Danes are motivated to leave the country.

And that's exactly what Danes are doing, going to less-oppressive circumstances.

The Confederation of Danish Industries estimated in August that the Danish labor force had shrunk by about 19,000 people through the end of 2005, because Danes and others had moved elsewhere.

Other studies suggest that about 1,000 people leave the country each year, a figure that masks an outflow of qualified Danes and an inflow of less skilled foreign workers who help, at least partially, to offset the losses.

As citizens of the European Union, Danes can easily work in any one of 27 countries and most are more tax-friendly than Denmark.

The number of people departing Denmark may seem insignificant until one considers that the nation only has a population of 5.5 million and the top talent are the workers who are leaving.

In summary, high income taxes repel talented workers.

Tip: slwlion

Hillary Remained Calm

From earlier this week, a Dinocrat post.

Did you remain calm too?:

An absurd "news" story in the AP suggests that that organization wants to be numbered among the good dogs, not the bad dogs:

"Clinton calm in hostage crisis. When the hostages had been released and their alleged captor arrested, a regal-looking Hillary Rodham Clinton strolled out of her Washington home, the picture of calm in the face of crisis.

The image, broadcast just as the network news began, conveyed the message a thousand town hall meetings and campaign commercials strive for - namely, that the Democratic presidential contender can face disorder in a most orderly manner."

We don't know about you, but, difficult as it is, we always try to remain calm when drunks tape highway flares to their shirts five hundred miles from our house.

Via John Ray

How To Wake A Sleeping Giant


REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
December 7, 1941

ACORN High School Principal on Ropes

(New York City) It appears that a 37 percent high school graduation rate breaks the threshold for making people mad about the education system. It's significantly below the average graduation rate in New York City of 60 percent.

Parents, teachers, and students at ACORN High School in Bedford Stuyvesant held a rally Thursday morning, calling for the resignation of their principal.

"We're here because we feel the leadership needs to be changed," said New York ACORN president Pat Boone.

Dozens gathered outside the ACORN High School for Social Justice, demanding that Principal Joe Parker be removed. The group blames Parker for the school's poor academic performance, saying that he has dismissed good teachers and has failed to address parents' concerns.

"Recently this school got an F and a U rating from the Board of Ed itself, and we're saying that's it - enough is enough," said ACORN Executive Director Bertha Lewis. "When a student gets a failing grade, there are consequences. The school has gotten a failing grade, and so the principal has got to go."

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but isn't ACORN (The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) the group implicated in several instances of election fraud? Also, isn't social justice a euphemism for marxism? With a bit of tongue in cheek, I'd suggest that a low graduation rate at the ACORN marxist school probably isn't all that bad.

Levity aside, the low graduation rate is outrageous and shouldn't be tolerated. If a new principal is needed, get one. On the other hand and more interesting is the fact that NYC is somehow not outraged at a citywide average graduation rate of 60 percent. Remember, this is the place where people adamantly expect sports teams to win championships every year.

Aussies Nix Santa's Ho-Ho-Ho

(Cairns, Australia) A 70-year-old veteran store Santa Claus, John Oakes, was fired for saying ho-ho-ho and singing Jingle Bells. Oakes was supposed to say ha-ha-ha and not sing.

"They're are (sic) trying to kill the spirit of Christmas," said Mr Oakes, who has been a Santa for ten years.

He was also found guilty of singing Jingle Bells at the Myer department store in Cairns, Northern Australia.

He said: "The manager told me my services were no longer required.

"When I asked her why, she replied, 'You said Ho-ho-ho and that's not appropriate'.

"Not appropriate? How long has Santa been calling Hohoho, for goodness sake?

"She also said I wasn't supposed to sing."

Ho-ho-ho is inappropriate because women might be offended since "ho" is American slang for whore.

What a bunch of hooey! Australian store owners are firing people for cultural stupidity in the United States. You'd think they would have more national pride and ignore crap that bubbles up in America.

Tip: Travis Evans

McDonald's Ad on Report Cards

I've got to applaud the innovativeness of the advertising explorers.

From AdAge.com:

The Golden Arches picked up the $1,600 cost of printing report-card jackets for the 2007-2008 school year in Seminole County, Fla., in exchange for a Happy Meal coupon on the card's cover. With 27,000 elementary school kids taking their report-card jackets home to be signed three or four times a year, that's less than 2 cents per impression.

Children who earn all A's and B's, have two or fewer absences or exhibit good behavior are entitled to a free happy meal at a local McDonald's -- so long as they present their report card.

Naturally, there are critics. Nanny-state food nazis, veggies cultists and obesity alarmists consider the campaign a new insidious low for corporate behavior.

Of course, corporate behavior will never stoop so low as to match the indoctrination of captive schoolkids on leftist political propaganda regarding tree hugging, alternative sexuality and global warming.

Georgia Babysitter Gets Prison for Shaking Infant

(Gwinnett County, Georgia) A 45-year-old babysitter, Kaniz Fatema Jahid, pleaded guilty yesterday to shaking a crying infant in her care, causing the 2-year-old to go blind and become brain-damaged.

Jahid's plea came because she didn't want to face a jury and the possibility of more severe punishment.

Jahid apparently had no patience for a colicky baby.

For the conviction of aggravated battery, Gwinnett Superior Court Judge Timothy Hamil sentenced Jahid to 10 years in prison and 10 years of probation.

The child, Shayan Huda, is in bad shape, suffering as many as a dozen seizures a day.

Teacher Jaymee Wallace Gets Prison

(Tampa, Florida) In November 2005, 28-year-old math teacher and girls' basketball coach at Wharton High School, Jaymee Wallace, was accused of engaging in a two-year sexual relationship with a female student, staring when the girl was 14.

Police began investigating upon being alerted to the sexual relationship by a relative of the student. Wallace surrendered to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and was booked into custody on one felony count of lewd and lascivious battery. She was released on bond.

In October 2007, Jaymee Wallace pleaded guilty to charges of lewd and lascivious battery and unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Wallace had earlier rejected a plea bargain of three years in prison, hoping that the judge would be more lenient.

Prosecutor Kimberly Hindman said the 19-month relationship began with a note Wallace attached to the almost 15-year-old student's math test in December 2002.

I think you're attractive, it said. Do you feel the same?

Notes progressed to trysts in Wallace's car, in her Tampa Palms apartment and near a running trail at the University of South Florida.

The encounters continued after Wallace, now 30, married teacher and coach Craig Wallace in June 2003.

During the October hearing, the teen victim, now 19, sobbed and said she wanted no jail time for Wallace. Her glaringly angry mother, however, did.

Yesterday, 30-year-old Jaymee Wallace was sentenced by Hillsborough Circuit Judge J. Rogers Padgett to three years in prison followed by three years of sex offender probation and registration as a sex offender.

The petite woman sobbed as she asked the victim's family and the judge to show mercy.

"I am deeply sorry for crossing the lines and boundaries that never should have been crossed," she said. "Please don't send me to prison." [ ... ]

Defense attorney Joe Bodiford said his client suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder; she watched her father abuse her mother and older siblings, and she aborted her first pregnancy.

Arguing that the victim was a willing participant, he asked for probation.

Judge Padgett then announced the sentence and Wallace was led off by deputies.

Notably, the Wallace case was adjudicated in the same judicial circuit as the Debra Lafave case, with substantially different outcomes for somewhat similar offenses. Wallace gets prison whereas Lafave got house arrest. Why the difference? I don't know.

Utah Child Abuser in Court on Probation Questions

(Provo, Utah) In 2002, Amber Childs was charged with aggravated sex abuse of a child, sodomy on a child, and tampering with a witness in connection with alleged sex crimes against a 5-year-old boy.

After significant delays for mental competency reviews and changing attorneys, Childs' case went before the 4th District Court in October and, in accordance with a plea deal, she pleaded no contest to a significantly reduced slate of three misdemeanors.

In December 2006, Childs was sentenced by Judge Samuel McVey to a hand slap. She received probation and treatment. Of course, Childs' sentence was contingent on her promising to be good and not do drugs.

As a reminder, the court punished her for alleged sexual abuse of a 5-year-old boy (also reported as six years old). One might say that Childs' sentence was light years removed from having the book thrown at her. Hell, she didn't even have a pamphlet thrown at her.

In the latest development regarding Amber Childs, it appears that she hasn't been fulfilling the requirements of her probation. The Adult Probation and Parole officials reported that "Childs had fallen short in several areas and recommended 30 days in jail." Childs' defense attorney Barbara Gonzales denied the allegations and called for dismissal at a future hearing.

"No," said Judge Samuel McVey. "If she's not complying with sex-offender treatment I want to know."

Childs also denied that she's failing to pay her fines.

"She's behind, but she's paying," Gonzales said.

However, Childs admitted several things, including that she had used meth on Nov. 10 and lived at a motel for several days -- a place unapproved by her probation officer.

This whole scenario provides some evidence that hand slaps imposed by the court are ineffective. Childs promised to be good. [Annoying buzzer] Childs promised not to do drugs. [Annoying buzzer]

I'm curious to see what happens next.


[Update 12/18/07]

From Daily Herald:

At an evidentiary hearing on Monday, Judge Samuel McVey ordered 31-year-old Amber Childs to spend 30 days in jail. McVey ordered the sentence after an Adult Probation and Parole official testified that Childs had not progressed in her sex offender treatment program, and had not taken a required polygraph test. McVey also said he was concerned about methamphetamine and opiate use by Childs.

Judge McVey denied a request that Childs do her time after Christmas.

No Jail for WV Teacher in Sex Case

(Kingwood, West Virginia) In June 2006, a former West Preston Middle School physical education teacher, Lana Jo Rinehart, was charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old male student in September 2005. Rinehart resigned her teaching position in November 2005.

In the latest development in the Rinehart case, she gets a hand slap.

Twenty-eight-year-old Lana Jo Rinehart of Terra Alta has agreed to a deal in which she'll serve two years' supervised probation and surrender her teaching license.

Preston County Prosecuting Attorney Melvin C. Snyder III said Monday that the deal, known as a pretrial diversion, was done at the request of the victim and the boy's mother.

Rinehart was charged in 2006 with third-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse by a custodian.

Therefore, with glacial efficiency, the court remembered to do something about the Rinehart case, taking a mere 18 months to decide it would do nothing.

Notably, a West Virginia media source, theintelligencer.net, has weighed in on the case.

While we can understand the desire of the victim and his family to put the unpleasantness behind them without going through a trial, we fear, quite frankly, that Rinehart is being allowed to walk away without sufficiently severe punishment.

She abused the teacher-student relationship, after all, harming a child she was supposed to be helping.

The message West Virginians ought to be sending in such situations is that behavior like Rinehart's will not be tolerated -- and will be punished severely. We don't think that message is being sent in Preston County.

Should a similar situation occur in our area, we urge prosecutors, judges -- and victims and their families -- to consider that severe punishment of criminals is intended, in part, to deter others from such behavior.

Ditto. And let's not forget, Rinehart was in her mid-twenties, the boy was 13. It seems more than a simple lapse in judgment.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

School Aide Accused of Sex with Boy

(Hope, Kansas) A 21-year-old preschool classroom aide, Whitney L. Goracke, was arrested last month (Nov. 25th) for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy. According to Dickinson County Attorney Keith Hoffman, Goracke has been charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child and criminal sodomy.

The alleged offense reportedly occurred on the same day she was arrested.

Rural Vista School District Superintendent Renae Hickert said Goracke no longer works for the school system.

Goracke was booked into custody and released on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 10th in Dickinson County District Court.

Hope is about 25 miles south of Abilene, Kansas.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 6/09/08]

Update deleted per request of the source.

Debra Lafave Arrested for Probation Violation

Arguably the teacher-student sex story with the longest legs has been the adventures of Debra Lafave, who was initially arrested and charged two and a half years ago.

The blonde beauty had mixed it up with a 14-year-old boy in a variety of ways, ultimately being prosecuted in two different Florida counties.

In the end, she was sentenced to a hand slap, no jail, only three years house arrest and seven years probation in Hillsborough County Court.

The courts possibly were influenced by the massive public and media interest in the story. To be fair, who could resist the tale of the bombshell teacher, who reportedly was insane when having sex and bipolar, having creative oral sessions with a 14-year-old male student in the back seat of a car as it was driven around central Florida through Hillsborough and Marion Counties by the student's cousin?

The furor died down in March 2006 when prosecutors dropped charges in Marion County against Lafave. Everybody could go home since there was nothing more to see. That is, until yesterday.

Lafave, 27, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on a charge that she violated her probation.

The arrest comes at the end of two years of house arrest, just as her attorney prepared to ask a judge to drop her final year of house arrest and place her on probation instead.

"I can only characterize this as somewhat of a bizarre and unusual violation," attorney John Fitzgibbons said of the charge.

Lafave, according to the charges, had intimate conversations with a 17-year-old co-worker at Danny Boys' Restaurant in Sun City Center, in violation of her sentence that prohibits her from having unsupervised contact with a child under 18.

Lafave and the Ruskin teen discussed "non-work related issues such as family problems, friends, high school, personal life, boyfriend issues and sexual issues in both private one-on-one conversations ... and group settings," probation officer Michael Cotignola wrote in a report.

So, Lafave's probation officer was watching and caught her mingling with at least one minor. On the scale of criminal activity, it's a mere blip but a probation violation nonetheless.

Therefore, Lafave goes back before a judge and she may see additional punishment. Ex-husband Owen Lafave, by the way, thinks she deserves jail time, bitterly stating,

"You know, here is someone who threw away her husband, threw away her career to go live with her parents and work at a deli."

It's not known what happens next but, I guarantee, it will be reported in the news. In the arena of beating dead horses, the Lafave horse has life left in it.


[Update 10/27/09]

Lafave files motion to change terms of probation to allow her to be with kids.

Companion posts at The Jawa Report, here and here.

Who Knew?

(Allentown, Pennsylvania) Here's a serving of political correctness that ought to suffice for today.

Two days after naming its mascot "PorkChop," the Philadelphia Phillies' new Triple-A affiliate abruptly dropped the moniker. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs said they got complaints from Hispanics that the mascot's name was offensive.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs -- whose mascot is a large, furry pig -- had selected PorkChop from fan submissions. The team, which begins play in 2008, announced Monday that the mascot will be named "Ferrous" instead.

It appears that nobody knew "PorkChop" was offensive. I am one. Maybe I should update my reading list to include sources which will inform me about what every pea-brained idiot considers offensive.

Personally, I believe that people have the God-given right to be offended. It's the starting point for evaluating circumstances, conflicts, people and themselves.

Nonetheless, thanks to the complainers I now know how to piss off the lawn workers when I yell at them at 7 AM for cranking up their leafblowers and waking my pristine glutes from a sound sleep. Interestingly, "PorkChop" is much more socially acceptable than what I usually yell.

Tip: slwlion

Boy Scouts Robbed at Gunpoint

(North College Hill, Ohio) Last night, three armed robbers wielding a sawed-off shotgun attacked two Boy Scouts and their fathers who were selling Christmas trees.

"At first I thought it was just a joke, but then I saw the gun and I was terrified," said John Hancock, Jr., of Boy Scout Troop 393.

"And when I saw the gun – and this guy punched me right here [pointing to his left cheek] – and it knocked me down," he said. "I wasn't unconscious or anything, but it was freaky. This was my first time being in an actual robbery."

And he is all of 13-years of age. The boys are with Boy Scout Troop 393 of St. Margaret Mary Church.

One father intervened and punches were thrown before the robbers ran off with $350 in Christmas tree money.

"They were gutsy enough to not have masks and stupid enough to hit a kid," said police Sgt. Robert Kidd. "What kind of man hits a kid?"

A thug, Sergeant. A scumbag thug hits a kid.

Hillary's Cash Cow Norman Hsu Indicted

(New York City) Called the "Hillraiser" for his donations to Democrats on Capitol Hill, in particular Hillary Clinton, top fundraiser Norman Hsu has been accused of defrauding investors in massive Ponzi scheme. Good and it's about time.

A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted Norman Hsu, a top Democratic fundraiser accused of cheating investors of at least $60 million and using some of the money to to make illegal donations to political campaigns.

In the 15-count indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, the government accused the 56-year-old clothing-industry entrepreneur of duping investors nationwide with a massive Ponzi scheme.

The government said Hsu also violated federal campaign finance laws by making contributions to various political candidates in the names of others.

If history is an indicator, the Clintons will throw him under a bus not recall ever meeting Norman Hsu.

Dena Greene Guilty of Sex with Boy

(Gates, New York) In July 2007, a 36-year-old mother-of-three, Dena Greene, was arrested for allegedly raping two 15-year-old boys in the summer of 2005.

Greene faced two counts each of criminal sexual act and rape, all felonies, and misdemeanor charges of unlawfully dealing with a child, endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of sexual abuse.

In September 2007 in Monroe County Court, Greene pleaded not guilty to the charges before Judge John R. Schwartz. Greene is free on an appearance ticket with no bail since she's not considered a flight risk.

Yesterday, Greene pleaded guilty to a criminal sexual act saying, however, that she only had sex with one of the boys. Greene is free on her own recognizance until her sentencing in February when she faces a possible four years in prison.

Four years? I doubt it. I think she'll walk with probation.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 03/12/08]

My prediction was close. Greene, 37, was sentenced yesterday to six months in the county jail and 10 years probation. She will also have to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Lafave Arrested Again

(Tampa, Florida) Ex-teacher Debra Lafave has violated her probation.

According to records with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Debra Lafave was arrested today for violating her probation. The violation listed says she talked to a coworker who was 17 years old, on various occasions.

The former Tampa teacher was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old middle school student. Part of her agreement included that she not have any contact with minors.

I suspect the authorities are keeping pretty close tabs on Lafave since they have been criticized for allowing her to walk out of court without any jail time.


[Update 12/05/07]

See expanded account of Lafave's arrest.

Putin's Predetermined Election Win

There is no rehab for police-state thugs. Consequently, former KGB head and current president, Vladimir Putin, was able to strong-arm the election results before the first ballot was cast. His slate of parliamentarians was elected.

From the Danish Politiken via Spiegel.de:

"As expected, Russian President Vladimir Putin garnered an overwhelming election victory. Even before (his victory), he claimed he would be given the 'moral right' to continue to determine his country's political course. ...

After his victory he spoke of a festive atmosphere. But it has an ugly downside. Neither the campaign nor the election was deserving of this description. It was the most unfair election since the fall of communism. The state abused its power in the media. Opposition voices were suppressed. ...

If the West doesn't strongly distance itself from this historic election manipulation, which one could at best describe as a swindle, it will muddy our own democracies. And we would also be abandoning Russians who haven't yet buried their hopes for democracy in their country."

Prudent geopolitical observers saw the swindle coming. And prudent observers also see conditions becoming worse, unlike "the European leaders who live in a complete fantasy world with their dream of drawing Russian natural gas without Putin's political policies also flowing through the pipes."

Man Ticketed for Speeding in Wheelchair

(Geseke, Germany) A 54-year-old engineer, Guenther Eichmann, tweaked an electric wheelchair so that it would go 40 MPH. Unfortunately, he tested it on a street with a 20 MPH limit and was ticketed for speeding.

Eichmann had to eat a $600 fine and the cops confiscated his wheelchair. Why? I don't know. He ought to be able to keep the chair.

Holy moly, $600 is outrageous for a speeding ticket. By the way, that's for a speeding ticket in a country that's known for having a cavalier attitude regarding speed limits.

Toyota Works Man to Death

(Tokyo, Japan) The Nagoya District Court has ruled that a man was worked to death by the Toyota Motor Corporation and his widow is entitled to compensation. The man reportedly had logged 106 overtime hours in one month and died of an irregular heartbeat after passing out in a factory.

Judge Toshiro Tamiya said "the relationship between his work and death is strong."

It's not clear whether the man was forced to work the overtime or not. If not, it would seem the company shouldn't be liable. Also, in my estimation, 106 hours overtime in a month isn't outrageous. Based on a 40-hour week, that's only about 25 hours per week overtime.

Mom Strangled Baby 13 Times

(Lincoln County, England) A 24-year-old local mother, Andrea Kirkham, attempted to asphyxiate her baby 13 times without anyone in the hospital becoming suspicious. Fortunately, she was ultimately seen in a smothering attempt.

Medics repeatedly battled to save the "floppy and lifeless" newborn girl at Lincoln County Hospital after her breathing was stifled with a towel or flannel. They were baffled by the baby's condition until a nurse caught Kirkham in the act.

Kirkham, of Lincoln, was diagnosed with attention-seeking Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy.

It's noteworthy that only after the baby was transferred to a different hospital, Queen's Medical Center, that Kirkham was discovered attempting to smother her child.

Kirkham was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of 13 counts of child cruelty in Lincoln Crown Court. The baby, now three years old, has been adopted.

Jeez, I don't know but it seems that British hospitals should be held to the standard that only nine smothering attempts are allowed to go unnoticed and without suspicion. Hospital staff could be warned that if they don't become suspicious by the tenth smothering attempt, reprimands will be considered.

Another thing, why wasn't Kirkham charged with 13 counts of attempted murder? Or even one count?

ACLU Sues to Protect Suspicious People

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the behavior screening policy at airports. Simply put, if people are acting suspicious, authorities approach them to determine whether they represent a threat. The ACLU contends that suspiciousness profiling infringes on basic freedoms.

The case resulted when an ACLU operative, King Downing, refused to produce identification to airport security, left the airport, returned and again refused to produce any identification.

"This is a dangerous extension of police power," said Downing. "I was stopped and held for no legal reason by armed State Police troopers. I was told I could not leave unless I proved who I was and why I was at the airport, and that if I did not cooperate, I would be arrested or banned from the airport. This is racial profiling, and not the action of a government that stands for freedom and the rights of all its people."

Note that Downing was allowed to go on his way once he identified himself. Nonetheless, he feels his rights were violated and pursued the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed against the Massachusetts Port Authority and the Massachusetts State Police.

As I recall, all legal fees and expenditures incurred by the ACLU are paid for by American taxpayers which explains why we see so many lawsuits from the ACLU. Despite the outcome, the taxpayer foots the bill.

This case is ludicrous. Given that Downing refused "to give ID after leaving and re-entering the terminal," I'm convinced that security officers acted appropriately. I personally wouldn't want anything less.

School Nurse, Boys & Booze

(Berryville, Arkansas) A 30-year-old former school nurse, Jennifer Cisco, was arrested last month for engaging in sex with a 17-year-old student she had liquored up.

Cisco was booked into custody at the Carroll County Jail and later released on her own recognizance. As a result of the charges, Cisco was terminated from her position with the Green Forest School District.

Today, Cisco was back in court after allegedly being found in a motel with boys and booze.

"When we got the call, she was with boys at a motel in Harrison," said Sheriff Bob Grudek.

Grudek says, this time, it was with a 16 year old at a Days Inn. The boy's mother testified in court on Monday but did not wish to do an interview with a reporter. She told the judge that Cisco got her son drunk before having sex with him.

"She's very unhappy, extremely unhappy," said Grudek.

Cisco revisited booking at the Carroll County Jail and was later released on $25,000 bond.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Global Warming Predictions (600 +)

The American Thinker posted a compilation of links to everything blamed on global warming. British engineering professor Dr. John Brignell (website) gathered the information.

The listing demonstrates the hysteria produced by the global warming alarmists. Man, there are a lot of people buying into the scam. Take a look at the listing and see its absolute silliness.

As a teaser, here's one section:

. . . Earth biodiversity crisis, Earth dying, Earth even hotter, Earth light dimming, Earth lopsided, Earth melting, Earth morbid fever, Earth on fast track, Earth past point of no return, Earth slowing down, Earth spinning out of control, Earth spins faster, Earth to explode, earth upside down, Earth wobbling, . . .

Realize that each of those entries is linked to a media story. You couldn't make this stuff up.

Tip: Dirty Balmer

Sperm Donor Must Pay Child Support

(London, England) This is a definitive case of being shafted.

Daily Mail:

A London man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple is being made to pay child support, it was revealed today.

Andy Bathie, 37, a firefighter from Enfield, agreed to help Sharon and Terri Arnold after they assured him he would have no involvement in the children's upbringing and no financial commitment.

But he is now having his pay docked to pay thousands of pounds in child maintenance even though he has no legal rights over the boy and girl the couple had.

He says the payments mean he and his wife cannot afford to have children of their own.

The lesbians broke up and he has to foot the bill. Bathie is fighting the ruling but, despite the outcome, the poor guy is being hosed for simply doing some friends a favor.

Listen up, men. Where your sperm goes, so does your money -- for years. Never forget it. It's fine to be chummy with lesbians but be sure to balk when begged for baby batter.

Tip: Travis Evans

Indonesian Trees Offset Bali Conference Polluters

(Bali, Indonesia) Since the attendees at the global warming conference in Bali arrive in polluting jet aircraft, the government of Indonesia is planting trees.

More likely, the tree-planting announcement is aimed to counter accusations of gross hypocrisy on the part of the global warming schemers.

Indonesia has planted millions of trees to soak up an estimated 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases to be emitted during U.N.-led climate talks in Bali, Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar said on Monday.

More than 10,000 politicians, officials, activists and journalists are expected to attend the December 3-14 talks on the tropical resort island. Delegates will discuss ways to widen a U.N.-led fight against global warming to all nations.

And to provide extra offset for the estimated 50,000 tonnes of gas, Indonesia has prohibited motor vehicles at the conference location, encouraging the attendees to walk or cycle from one meeting to another.

Therefore, all the kleptocrats arrive in fancy-schmancy jet planes and then are forced to walk around town in tropical heat. What a sweaty shame. Of course, it's assumed that there will be plenty of refreshing kool-aid available to avoid dehydration and the delirium of rational thought.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Girl, 13, Charged with Sex Assault of Boy, 6

(East St. Louis, Illinois) Here's a sex assault story with very sketchy information due to the ages of the alleged offender and the victim.

An incident occurred within the East St. Louis School District where a 13-year-old girl allegedly sexually assaulted a six-year-old boy by pulling down his pants and biting him. The girl is charged with juvenile battery. Action on the case has been pursued by the victim's mother for 18 months.

A trial is scheduled for January 2008.

Tip: greggmkay

Rapist Jeni Lee Dinkel Out of Jail

(Covington, Kentucky) After serving 57 days of a 60-day sentence for rape of a 15-year-old schoolboy, Jeni Lee Dinkel was released from the Kenton County Jail just after midnight last night.

For the complete breakdown of Dinkel's crime, prosecution and conviction, see previous entry.

Notably, a civil lawsuit filed by the mother of the victim remains to be litigated.


[Update 02/19/08]

Dinkel arrested for violating her probation.

Avoiding the Smoking Ban

(Bellingham, Washington) The only local establishment where people can legally light up their favorite tobacco product is the Cobra Lounge, owned by Paul Green and Erin Cobb.

The Cobra Lounge sidesteps the statewide law against smoking which was passed ostensibly to protect "workers" from second-hand smoke.

From the Seattle Times:

The trick is that Green and Cobb actually opened two places. In one, they sell the tobacco (called shisha) along with private club memberships ($1 for life!). In the other, 10 steps along the alley, is the club. That's where the smoking happens. There are no workers there -- it's like a co-op -- so it's exempt from the ban.

I have to applaud Green and Cobb for their innovation. Despite the statewide ban, they have opened a place that's legal -- for now. Local authorities are not amused and have ominously vowed to investigate.

Brits Warned on Chinese Cyber-Spying

(UK) Jonathan Evans, head of the British domestic intelligence agency MI5, has officially notified key members of the UK economy that China is actively engaged in espionage of computer networks.

The Government has openly accused China of carrying out state-sponsored espionage against vital parts of Britain's economy, including the computer systems of big banks and financial services firms.

In an unprecedented alert, the Director-General of MI5 sent a confidential letter to 300 chief executives and security chiefs at banks, accountants and legal firms this week warning them that they were under attack from "Chinese state organisations". It is believed to be the first time that the Government has directly accused China of involvement in web-based espionage.

Such a blunt and explicit warning from Jonathan Evans could have serious diplomatic consequences and cast a shadow over Gordon Brown's first official visit to China as Prime Minister early in the new year.

The letter from MI5 provides guidance on tactics and techniques used by Chinese hackers and a listing of known web signatures and addresses used in attacks.

Frankly, anyone who has been watching the aggressive mischief of the Chinese in recent times shouldn't be surprised in the least by the MI5 announcement. There have been previous reports of the Chinese hacking into other nation's computer networks, most notably German and American. It logically follows that the ChiComs want an advantage over all nations they compete with. And, as police-state communists, they don't allow rules to get in the way of results.

Teacher Guilty of Measuring Student Genitalia

(Fort Ann, New York) A 27-year-old teacher and basketball coach at a Fort Ann elementary school, Jared P. Bromley, pleaded guilty this week to charges related to allowing middle school students masturbate in front of him and allegedly measuring their genitalia with a ruler.

Bromley's plea deal indicates he will likely get 60 days in jail for a conviction on felony sexual conduct against a child. His trial had been scheduled to begin on Monday.

Bromley was initially charged with two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly allowing two 13-year old boys to fondle themselves in front of him in various instances since December 2005. There were no allegations that he had had any sexual contact with them. [See here for chronology of the case.]

He was then charged with second degree sexual abuse for allegedly touching one of the male students with a ruler, telling the student he was measuring his genitalia. Police said that the teens allege that Bromley would measure their genitalia, using a masking tape "harness."

Three felony charges of course of sexual conduct against a child and first degree coercion were then lodged against Bromley by a Washington County Grand Jury as well as making a false statement in the case.

Bromley had been charged Feb. 7 after two students said they interrupted an incident involving one of the boys in the coach's office which is located in the boys' locker room at the Washington County school. Bromley was initially suspended from his teaching duties but later resigned from his teaching position and as coach in March.

If convicted at trial, Bromley faced a possible 18 years in prison. With the plea bargain, he will likely get 60 days jail, 10 years probation and an order to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for January 11th.

So, tell me. How does a pervert like Bromley ever get hired? Somebody must have known that he was unsuited for working with kids. I don't believe that, all of a sudden at age 27, a person decides to become a child molester.

Teacher Celeste Adamski Gets No Jail

(Kearny, New Jersey) In June 2007, a 27-year-old English teacher at Kearny High School, Celeste Adamski, was suspended from her teaching position for alleged inappropriate sexual activity with up to four male students.

In October 2007, Adamski pleaded guilty to official misconduct in accordance with a "put this behind us" plea deal which seemed to indicate that Prosecutor Debra Simon and Superior Court Judge Peter Vazquez were checking their watches, tapping their feet and complaining about being late for lunch. At the time, I predicted a hand slap was forthcoming.

Yesterday, a hand slap was administered. Adamski was sentenced to probation, 50 hours of community service and $155 in fines.

I Love My Car But There's A Limit

Some guys are car lovers and some guys make love to cars. Wong is the latter and he is freaky.

We have whole new meanings for "parking" and "autoerotic." Check the link.